Caster socket



ug. 25, 1936. E. A. BRQKAW ET AL, 2,052,538

CASTER SOCKET Filed March 1, 1934 -2 sheets-sheet 1- Aug. 25, 1936.

E. A. BRoKAW ET AL.v

CASTER SOCKET Filed March l, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

Patented ug. 25, 1936 ATENT oFFicE oAs'rER SOCKET Application March 1, 1934, Serial No. 713,451

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a socket type frame for mounting upon and within a tubular leg and adapted to receive the stem of a load supporting caster.

The present invention is particularly directed to standardization.

The chief object of the invention is to provide a part which can be standardized and utilized substantially for frames for the legs of different sizes by the addition of one or more plate members and the corresponding enlargement of the spring arm means, which frictionally'engage the interior of the tubular leg with which the entire frame structure is associated. y

The basic element of the combination includes a 'sccketed body which at its lower end is provided with an outwardly directed ange and adjacent tliereto is an enlargement substantially the cross sectional area of the smallest tubular leg with which sockets of this general type are associated. The socketed body includes an elongated bore therein having its opening at the lower face and providing a closed end.

Adjacent the close-d end is a reduced portion forming a shoulder and immediately above the same' is an enlargement. If and when desired, an additional shoulder portion may be provided and when thus provided, it constitutes a seat for an upper plate or washer, the latter constituting theupper centering structure. Said arm means and the upper Washer are secured to the socketed body by lateral enlargement of a coaxial portion (the enlargement) of the socketed body at the end opposite the opening therein.

Various forms of spring arm means and various forms of plate means are illustrated. Whenever the tubular portion of the tubular leg, with which the socket frame is to be associated, is of relatively large cross sectional area, a supporting, and in some instances a supporting and centering lower plate, is associated with the socketed body, as well as the upper centering plate. It is thereby possible to use the same socketed body for a wide range of caster socket frames by merely changing the spacing of the spring frame arms and by providing the proper upper, and if desired as well, the lower centering plates for the size of tubing or leg to be accommodated.

The central tubular body is, as will be apparent from the'drawings, capable of automatic screw machine production. The upper washer is capable of formation from a flat sheet by punching and the lower washer is capable of production by a punching operation. The spring frame arms preferably are of stamped formation, in most in- Vstances being formed from strip spring metal cut to length and properly formed. In certain forms of the invention, wider stock must be utilized.

VThe spring frame arm means are preferably made from two or three widths ofV strip spring metal; 5 the smaller width strips being utilized for the smaller frame sizes and the intermediate or larger strips being utilized for the larger frame sizes. mln certain instances, however, particularly when more than a pair of spring arms are l0- to be utilized, the smaller width stock may be utilized for the larger size frames.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claimszl5` Fig. 1 is a central sectional View through what may be termed the smallest size socket embodying the invention, the dotted lines indicating a tubular leg for which said socket is adapted for use.

Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the socket shown in 2o Eig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 of a larger size socket including a load supporting plate.

-z- A Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof.

L y Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and of a modi- 25 fied form, this form including two pairs of diametrically spaced arms transversely positioned as distinguished from one pair of diametrically positioned arms utilized in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a top plan View thereof.

Fig. 7 is a central sectional View through a modied form Vof the invention, wherein the spring arms means is of the peripheral type as distinguished from the longitudinal strip type 35 previously illustrated.

, Fig. 8 is a central sectional view similar to Fig. 7 and of a still further modified form of the invention, this form differing from Fig. 7 chiefly in the inversion of the lower peripheral spring 40 structure.

Fig. 9 is a central sectional view of still a further modied form of the invention wherein the spring frame is shown detachably associated with both the upper end of the tubular socket and the lower 45 load sustaining washer or plate.

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of a form of the invention similar to Fig. 3 and illustrates a modied form of lower load sustaining plate and arm connection.'

Fig. 11 is a view taken at right angles to Fig. 10 and of the same socket.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, A indicates the tubular leg having the opening B therein, and the lower-edge C.

The frame socket is herein shown comprising a tubular body I 0 Vhaving an elongated bore II therein opening on the face I3 and its upper end being closed by the wall I4 which forms a top bearing for a caster stem which is receivable by and suitably-retained in the bore II.

The lower end of the tubular body I0 is provided with a flange I5 that projects as at I6 beyond an enlarged portion I1 having the upwardly taperedv portion I 8.

The upper end of the tubular body is reduced as at I9 to form a shoulder and is additionally re' duced as at 2U to form a second shoulder.A A por" tion 2| projects axially from the body and is adapted for lateral enlargementin a bulldozer i or header for forming the'enlargement 22.

Suitably encircling the tubular body and seated on shoulder I9, is a plate or'washer 23 and suitably seated upon shoulder 2U is a central portion 24 apertured as at 25. The portion 24 is formed from a strip and is centrally positioned with respect to the ends of said strip., 'The portion intermediate the .central portion and the ends, is positioned in spaced relation to the body and is slightly bowedfoutwardly forming spring frame arms 26. Y

When the socket frame is mounted in the openingB ofthe tubular leg A, the lower end C of the leg engages the upper face I6 ofthe flange I5,

and the interior wall of the leg A is engaged bythe diametricallypositioned spring frame arms 26, the length of .which is so adjusted .that the larms can be accommodated within the tubular Yleg and at the Sametime insure maximum frictional gripping thereof.

In this form of the invention, as indicated at 21, the Vwasher. 23 is provided with a pair of flat faces. The spring vframe arm means and the washerV 23 thusare rigidly clamped to the tubular socket by the'lateral'.enlargement 22 of portion 2| and the flat faces 21 register with arms In Fig. 3 a modified form lof the. vinvention is illustrated, and in this form the same tubular body is employed. However, instead'of the tubular leg bearing directly upon flange |5,-there is interposed a bearing plateV 28 that is of a diameter or cross sectional area slightly greater than the outside -diameter or cross sectional ,area of the tubular leg A. The plate 28 has a central opening 29 which is substantiallyA the diameter of the enlarged` portion VI1 of theA tubular body.

Also mounted on theV tubular body-and resting on vplate 28, isianother plate or washer 3D which is provided with notches or slots-3| therein diametricallypositioned to` accommodate the lower free ends of the spring frame arms |26. The

shoulder portion I9 of the tubular body Ill sup-V ports another plate or washer |23 which is substantially identical to theplate 3|]Y andwhich is alsoV notched or slotted as at |21 substantially the Y vsame as at 3| and the'notc'hes and slots Il3| and z shown in Figs. 10 and l1, and if formedof the cast metal, it may be like that shown in Fig. 3, although then it would be in one piece.

The modications shown in Figs. 5 and 6 only differ from that shown in Fig. 3 by the addition of a second U-shaped spring structure and the 5 formation of each. spring frame structure'from a spring metal strip of a width greater than that shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In said figure, the shoulder I6 of the ange I5 supports a plate 28 which i is of the desired outline corresponding tothe 10 outline of the tubular leg. Y Y Sutably supported thereby is a washer |30 which in place of having a single pair of diametrical slots ISI, is provided with two pairs ofv diametrical slots I3 I, these two pairs being trans- 15 VVVersely positioned. The shoulder I9 supports a supports two transversely arranged andrcentrally 20 apertured U-shaped spring frame members, eachV having the central portion |24, the depending -free arm portions |26 and the centrally apertured portion |25. These two central portions crossV each other as shown in Fig. '6. Thus, this form 25 of the invention, as before stated, only differs in that it utilizes four spring arms in place of two and that one spring arm is mounted above theY I other and inview of the length of the slotsY I3I, either spring arm structure may be used interchangeably with the other. The two U-shaped spring arm members are suitably securedV in clamping relation by means of the shoulder' 20, shoulder I3, enlargement 22 and the plate 223.r

In Fig. 7 of the drawings, there is illustrated 35 a modified form of the invention, wherein II5 indicates the iiange providing the shoulder I I6 supporting the plate |28 which encircles the enlarged portion I I1, shouldered as at I I8.Y The tubular body III) is provided with a bore III that opens on the face I I3, the bore at its opposite end being closed as at II4. The tubular body'is provided with shoulder IIS and the reduced portion |20 of considerable length. The central coaxial portion |2I Vis enlarged laterally as at |22 to clamp between shoulder I|9V and the portion 22, the tubular collar portion 325 dening the central opening in the dished plate portion 324 from which at the extremity of the plate portion projects a plurality, and herein four are illustrated, of connected spring frame arms 326. YThese extend outwardly and downwardly, thereby facilitating nesting in the insertion of the entire socket within the tubular leg. Asomewhat similar'but slightly different peripheral spring structure includes the` collar por` tion Y425, the dished central plate portion 424 and the upwardly and outwardly extending connected arm portions 426, which have inwardly directed ends 42Go to facilitate mounting of the entireV structure within the tubular leg. The adjacent ends of the upper and lower spring cup supported arms in the mounting of the spring frame socket arecaused to move inwardly toward each other and thus exert frictional stress upon the interior of the tubular leg for thermounting of said socket. Thelower spring cup is suitably secured in Y clamped relation relative to the rshoulder |I8 by a plurality of enlargements or a single peripheral enlargement IDD.

Y In Fig. 8 thereis illustrated a modified form of the invention wherein 2|0 indicates a tubular body provided with a bore 2|I, closed by ra top bearing wall 2 I4 and provided with a mouth opening upon the face 2 I 3 and dened by a iiangerZ I 5 having the shoulder Zit. The enlarged portion 2|`| is reduced as at 218 and the plate 228 is adapted to support the tubular leg by engaging the lower end thereof. The upper endof the tubular body 2||l is reduced as at 2|9 and the central portion 228 supports the retaining portion 22| having the laterally enlarged portion 222, between which portions 222 and 2|9, is clamped the spring frame cup substantially similar to the upper cup shown in Fig. 7, except that the tubular collar is omitted. Herein said cup includes the central portion 524 having the central opening 525 and the downwardly and outwardly directed connected arms 526.

In this form of the invention a second and lower cup includes the central portion 624 with a central aperture 625 and the downwardly and outwardly directed connected armsV 626 which terminate just above the plateV |28. This cup is retained in position on the tubular body by the portion, or portions, 288). In the present instance, the plate portion 624 is not provided with a collar such as the portion 1525, so that this form of the invention, while similar in many respects shown in Fig. '7, differs therefrom vin two respects-first, the inversion of the lower cup and second, the omission of Ythe central opendening collar portions from both of saidY cups.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings, there is illustrated a further modied form, this form being capable of reproduction in a plurality of different sizes 4,while utilizing the same size socket body by merely associating therewith the predetermined size of spring structure and the supporting plate or flange corresponding thereto, it being understood that the central portion of each of the spring structures, is fashioned with the same die and that the respective supporting plate is provided with the same size central opening.

In Fig. 9, 3||3 indicates the tubular. body having the bore 3|! therein opening on the face 3|3 of the iiange 3|5 providing shoulder 3|6, enlarged portion 3|`| and the upwardly tapered portion 3|8. The bore is closed by the top bearing surface 3M. The upper end of the tubular body is reduced as at 320 providing the upper relatively enlarged portion 322 and thelower relatively enlarged portion 3|9 adjacent Y thereto.

, This forms an annular groove to receive inturned portions |25 depending from the central portion 'i2'which is formed from the strap providing the U-shaped edges diametrically opposite each other as at 725a. Each arm '|26 is arcuate in section and at its lower end terminates in an outwardly directed portion 726:1 forming an interior groove |2619 and anunderlyingportion 126e. Groovel26b and portion 126e, respectively, receive Vand support the spacing plate 328 resting on shoulder 3|6. The tubular leg engages the outwardly directed portion 125:1 and is supported thereby in this engagement. The two spring arms are forced inwardly, the inward movement being limited by the plate 328 so that said portions '|2611 are adapted to support the load and to prevent cooking of the entire socket at its lower end. Plate 328 insures substantial central positioning of the tubular body portion within the tubular leg, and the load is transmitted to the caster stem thereby.

This form of the invention is of the detachable spring frame type and as stated, spring frames having substantially the same central formation, may be substituted one for the other and associated with the tubular body 3||J and the corresponding plate 328 of the desired external 'cross sectional outline in area and having a central opening of the same diameter is utilized therewith and thus an entire series of detachable sockets may be readily manufactured through the utilization of the same central forming die for the spring frame and the utilization of the same tubular body 3|0.

VIn Figs. l and l1 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention and herein the same is shown including a pair of diametrically positioned spring frame arms, although it is readily apparent that in exactly the same manner that Figs. 5 and 6 differ from Figs. 3 and 4, an extension of the form of the invention shown in Figs. l0 and 1l may be made, which would include two transversely positioned diametrical pairs of spring frame arms, in which event the lower supporting and spacing plate instead of being provided with two apertures and two tongues, would be provided with four apertures and four tongues in quadrant relation.

In Fig. the same tubular body shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is utilized and likewise the same type upper washer or plate is utilized, and approximately the same spring frame is utilized, except that each of the arms 826 at their lower ends are reduced as at 826a to form a tongue 828D. Inthis form of the invention the two lower plates 28 and 30, shown in Fig. 3, are formed as a single plate structure. Herein the peripheral portion 428 is adapted to engage the lower end of the tubular leg and support the same. The embossed portion i28a is suitably slotted as at 42812 forming an upwardly directed tongue 428e and the slot 428D receives the reduced end 82617 of the spring frame arm and the tongue 428e serves as a stop to prevent radial inward movement of the spring frame arm as its lower end. The purpose of this is to insure as much as possible full line Contact of the arm with the leg interior along one or more longitudinal elements of said tubular leg. r

The plate portion 430 is apertured as at 43| and is telescopically receivable by the large portion I'i of the tubular body l0. In view of the fact that the load is applied to the plate portion 23, it is not necessary to provide a rigid anchorage for the plate portion 430 to insure against upward movement of said plate upon the portion I1.

This consideration also eliminates the necessity for preventing upward movement of plate 228 in Fig. 9; whereas in Figs. 7 and 8 the portions |80 and 200 respectively are provided to prevent upward movement of the lower portion of the lower cup structures, because they are relatively independent of the load supporting plate portion.

It is not necessary also in the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 5 to provide means for holding down the lower plates 30 and |30, because they are not subject to any upward movement or force from the arms and they have sufiicient weight to seat by gravity upon the load supporting plate, plates 3|] and 3| being solely provided to insure against undue inward movement of the free ends of the spring arms.

It will be apparent from the aforesaid that each and every form of the invention consists of the spring frame structure of two or more arms or their cup equivalents providing substantial full line contact throughout the length of the socket and wherein the inward movement of the free portions of the spring frame means at each end of the frame is limited, either inherently by its construction or by the use of other means operatively associated therewith, and in each instance Vincluding a body portion having an elongated the spring frame structure provides a centralized Vupper centering device and a centering device at the lower end of the spring frame structure to Vprevent cooking of the tubular body and to insure maintenance of it in centralized position within the tubular leg.

Since portions ll, I8 and vertical portions adjacent I9. and 20' upon which the washer and spring fram-e means are mounted may be of circular cross-section, the entire spring and centering structure may swivel on the .tubular body l 0, in Figs. 1 to 6 and l0 and 11, if the enlargement 2l is not pressed down unduely, that is, to rigidly vclamp said structure to the tubular body. The interlocking relation of the washers or plates and the spring means insure unit swivelling. Of

. course, the form shown inFig. 9 may swivel on body 3l0.

The invention claimed. isz.- 1. `A spring frame type socket for tubular legs caster stem receiving bore therein terminating in a top bearing for the stem, an annular, grooved portion adjacent the upper end, and an outwardly directedflanged lower end adapted to transmit leg load to the stem, spring frame means swivably mounted yinsaid grooved position, and other means rotatably mounted upon said body and operatively lassociated .with .the spring frame means` 2. Semi-standardized spring frame typesockets adapted for reception by cylindrical tubular 4legs of various commercial diameters, each including a standardized body portion for all diameters of legs and .having a caster stem receiving boretherein terminating ina stem `top bearing, an annular portion of slightly lesser diameter than the leg diameter and positioned .upon the upper end of the body portion and prevented against axialmovement thereon, another annular v portion .of slightly lesser diameter than the leg body, and a spring framel operatively associated.

with the upper portion of the body and having a .plurality of downwardly extending arms radially spaced from the body axis approximately the portion to form a larger size socket, said second and third mentioned annular portions 'of each of all but the smallest size socket comprising a single plate structure including an upwardly embossed Y portion for leg reception and body centering and a lower outwardly directed peripheral flange por'- tion for engagement with 'the' lower end'of the leg.

3. A spring frame typesocket for tubular. legsl including a body portion having an elongated caster stern receiving bore therein-terminating-'in a top bearing for the stem, an annular, grooved portion adjacent the upper end, and an outwardlyV directed flanged lower end adapted to transmit leg load to the stem, spring frame means swivably mounted in said'grooved position, and other means rotatably mounted upon said body and operatively associated with the spring frame means, the said other means including a plate at the lower end of the body. Y Y

4. A spring frame type socket for tubular legs including a body portionhaving an elongated caster stem receiving bore therein terminating in a top bearing for the stem, an `annular,'grooved portion 'adjacent the upper end, and an outwardly directed flanged lower end adaptedV to transmit leg load to the stem, spring frame means swivably mounted in said grooved position, and other means rotatably mounted upon said body and operatively associated with the spring Vframe means, the said other means including a centering washer at the upper end of the body. 5. A spring frame type socket for tubular Vlegs including a body portion having an elongated caster stem receiving bore therein terminating in a top bearing for the stem, an annular, grooved portion adjacent the upper end, andan outwardly directed flanged lower end adapted to transmit leg load to the stem, spring frame means swivably mounted in said grooved position, and other means rotatably mounted upon said body and operatively associated with the spring frame means, the said other means including aV plate at the lower end of the body and a centering washer at the upper end of the body.

Y EDWARD YA. BROKAW. WILLIAM H. NOELTING. 

